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How did Commerson create amazing plant discoveries in his botanical gardens? What was his secret?
Philbert Commerson was a French naturalist best known for his circumnavigation of the world with Louis-Antoine de Bougainville from 1766 to 1769. During this voyage, Commerson contributed a large amount of precious information and plant samples to the botanical community through his observations and research. Throughout his life, he was not only a consummate naturalist but also a horticulturist with a passion for plants, and his private botanical garden attracted widespread attention in the scientific community of his day. What is the secret of his success?
The renaissance of botanical gardens and the origins of science
Commerson created his own botanical garden in Châtillon-les-Dombes, France, in 1758, which was the starting point for his research and exploration of the plant world. At this botanical garden, he focused on experimentation and observation, combining his medical background with the study of botany.
"For a naturalist, a plant is not just an individual, but an integral part of an entire ecosystem."
In addition to classifying and describing plants, one of Commerson's secrets was his powers of observation. He has a deep understanding of the environment in which plants grow and their relationships with other plants and animals. Rather than just placing plants in flower beds, he analyzed and recorded their properties in a more scientific way so that new species could be discovered and described.
Discoveries during the circumnavigation of the world
Commerson joined Bougainville on his circumnavigation of the world in 1766. His journey was not only an exploration of the world, but also a detailed survey of the plant kingdom. Along the way, from the coast of South America to the islands of the Pacific, he personally collected and described numerous plants.
"Entering the beautiful South Pacific, Commerson treats each plant as an event, a rare opportunity."
He also worked with assistant Jean Barre, a woman who hid herself as a man at the time and accompanied Commerson and assisted him in his research. Part of Commerson's success comes from the support and help of this assistant.
Persistence and concentration in plant experiments
After moving to Mauritius, Commerson's plant research further expanded, and he became fascinated with the diverse plants of Madagascar. He further collected and recorded local plants and attempted to understand their ecosystems, which was documented in detail in his diary.
"Madagascar is an amazing place, everything here is like a work of art."
Everything he did reflected his spirit of exploration of the world and his love for nature. This persistence and focus on plants enabled him to gain lasting achievements and reputation in the field of plant classification and research. .
Inheritance and influence of knowledge
Although Commerson died in 1773, a large number of his manuscripts and plant samples were transferred to Paris after his death. However, these materials were not well organized and utilized. Some of his plant names are still used today, such as Commerson's dolphin and Commersonia. These are species named after him, symbolizing his important position in the natural science community.
"Knowledge should not only belong to one person, but should be shared by more people."
Although his achievements were not recognized at the time, there is no doubt that Commerson's contribution is indelible in the history of botany. His professional image and contribution to plant classification inspired many later scholars and gradually attracted more attention.
Conclusion
Commerson’s story tells us that for a naturalist, it is not only for scientific and ideological exploration, but also for a love and respect for life. Have you ever thought about how many undiscovered mysteries there are in today’s scientific world waiting for us to explore?
